What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. It was previously known as septicemia or blood poisoning. Common infections include lung infections such as pneumonia, urine infections wound infections and abdominal infections such as appendicitis.

44,000 people in the UK die every year as a result of sepsis. This means that every 5 minutes here in the UK somebody dies as a result of sepsis, Worldwide this increases to one person every few seconds.

Sepsis is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY, as patients who develop sepsis are 5 times more likely to die than patients with a heart attack or stroke.

For more information on Sepsis, you can visit the Sepsis Trust website by clicking here.